Abstract
Experimental diabetes was produced in 59 rats by intravenous injection of streptozotocin, and the rats were studied from 9 days to 4 months later. Experimental pancreatitis was produced in 28 rats by injecting sodium taurocholate, 3% or 6% solution in saline, into the pancreatic duct. These rats were studied with microangiography from 2 h to 4 days later. Experimental diabetes caused atrophy of the islets of Langerhans but did not cause any changes in the vessels of the exocrine pancreas, liver, or kidney up to 4 months. Capillary filling of the young, long-term diabetic rats was poor in all the examined organs, and the muscle arterioles showed variation of caliber. A 3% sodium taurocholate solution produced mild pancreatitis and little or no changes in the vasculature, whereas a 6% solution caused severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis with local extravasations and poor capillary filling. It is concluded that diagnostically useful vascular changes appear in the pancreas only if severe pancreatitis is present.